Nixon suffered a cerebral vascular accident on April 18 at his home in Park Ridge, New Jersey, and was taken to New York Hospital–Cornell Medical Center.[2] After an initial favorable prognosis, Nixon slipped into a deep coma and died four days later. His body was flown to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, Orange County, California, via SAM 27000, the presidential plane used as Air Force One while Nixon was in office.[3] His body was transported to the Nixon Library and laid in repose. A public memorial service was held on April 27, attended by world dignitaries and all five living Presidents of the United States, the first time that five U.S. presidents attended the funeral of another president.

Nixon's state funeral is unique among recent presidential state funerals in that, in accordance with his own wishes, none of the elements of the state ceremonies occurred in the nation's capital.[4][5]

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Nixon suffered a massive stroke (cerebral vascular accident) at his Park Ridge, New Jersey, home while preparing to eat dinner on Monday, April 18, 1994 at 5:45 p.m. EDT.[6] An ambulance was called and he was taken to New York Hospital–Cornell Medical Center. He was conscious but unable to speak, and his vision was impaired.[7] It was determined that a blood clot resulting from his heart condition had formed in his left atrium (upper heart), then broke off and traveled to his brain. His condition was determined to be stable the following day,[2] as he was alert but unable to speak or move his right arm and leg.[6] Nixon's prognosis was hopeful, and he was moved from the intensive care unit into a private room. His condition worsened that Tuesday night, however, complicated by symptoms of cerebral edema, or swelling of the brain.[6] Nixon's living will stipulated that he was not to be placed on a ventilator to sustain his life.[6] On Thursday, Nixon sank into a coma. That Friday night, he died at 9:08 p.m., April 22, 1994.[6][7] His daughters, Tricia and Julie, were by his side.[6]

Carried by eight military pallbearers representing all branches of the United States military, Nixon's body was placed in the library lobby and lay in repose from the afternoon of Tuesday, April 26 to the afternoon of Wednesday, April 27.[3] Despite severe rain, police estimated that roughly 50,000 people waited in lines up to 18 hours to walk past the casket and pay their respects.[3]

The funeral service was held on Wednesday, April 27, on the grounds of the Nixon Library. The service was attended by over 4,000 people, including family members, President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary, former Presidents and First Ladies George and Barbara Bush, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, and Gerald and Betty Ford.[3] Former Vice President Spiro Agnew also attended. A congressional delegation consisting of over one hundred members was present, and a foreign diplomatic corps of over two hundred.[3] The service was officiated by the Reverend Doctor Billy Graham, a friend of Richard Nixon's, who called him "one of the most misunderstood men, and I think he was one of the greatest men of the century."[6] Eulogies were delivered by Graham, Henry Kissinger, Senator Bob Dole, California Governor Pete Wilson and President Clinton.[3] Dole could not hold back his tears at the end of his speech,[8] a rare show of emotion in public for the Senator.

Following the service, Nixon was laid to rest beside his wife; Pat had died on June 22, 1993. They are buried only steps away from Richard Nixon's birthplace and boyhood home.

The funeral was the last major public appearance of former President Ronald Reagan, whose affliction with Alzheimer's disease was announced later that year. Ten years later, on June 5, 2004, Reagan would become the first former President after Nixon to die.[9]